Chapter 307: Heonwon (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 307: Heonwon (2)
"I ask this not as a government official, but as a fellow martial artist. My own talent was once called a rare martial genius under heaven... at least, back in my hometown."
A subtle tea fragrance drifted through the VIP room, its wooden panels polished to a smooth sheen.
Sunlight streamed in like waves, casting a white glow beneath the window frame and carrying the elegant aroma of precious Longjing tea through the air.
"You said you are seventeen, correct? I once had a question when listening to the legends of the First Heavenly Demon and Perfected Zhang Sanfeng of the Wudang Sect, and I believe it applies to you as well. How did you become so powerful at such a young age?"
"Just... by living my life, I suppose..."
"Indeed. It makes no sense, which is precisely why an existence like you stands before me. Still, I was truly astonished when that Jegal fellow's Body Protection Astral Qi shattered. I pride myself on my sense of Qi. When I quietly observed with my Upper Dantian, the release of your shockwave was truly exquisite—and terrifying. It seeped into his internal energy barrier as if fitting the final piece of a puzzle. It happened in such a fleeting instant that I cannot be certain I perceived it correctly, but..."
The air enveloping the inner chamber was incredibly still.
So too were the expressions of the Desolate Fortress's Black Ranks seated around the round table, as well as the face of Assistant Military Commander Kang Su-hwi, who, for some reason, was entirely focused on showering a junior martial artist with praise.
The Assistant Military Commander spoke strictly on the basis of facts, blending them with his own insight and experience. His deep, resonant voice carried a cadence that blurred the line between calm praise and grand flattery.
As a high-ranking official of the imperial court in Beijing, he was a man who lived in an entirely different world.
Jeong Yeon-shin nodded somewhat blankly, his thoughts drifting to Heonwon Chang.
If Heonwon Chang had gone to the Forbidden City instead of the Desolate Fortress, wouldn't he have achieved much greater success? No, wait. Then the Demonlight Wing wouldn't have the Divine Hero of the Desolate Fortress, would they?
Perhaps it was because his internal and external injuries were throbbing with a dull ache, but all sorts of random thoughts were crossing his mind.
"Perhaps I am beating around the bush too much."
The Assistant Military Commander, who had been quietly observing the Commander of the Demonlight Wing, smiled faintly.
It was a smile that carried a crafty, seasoned air, quite unfitting for his appearance. He looked to be in his early thirties, but his actual age was likely far greater.
"...I intend to kill all the local aristocrats gathered here. I plan to wipe out the very seeds of the Shanxi Martial World. Since the first move I prepared was blocked, I must proceed with my second plan."
He spoke abruptly. This was the main point.
Jeong Yeon-shin's collar, which had been rising and falling gently with his breath, froze.
The clothes he wore now were not the uniform of a Desolate Fortress Unit Commander. The robe he had inherited from Ma Jin had been shredded to rags by the Male-Female Divine Whip. Because of that, he had received a plain, patternless black robe from the Gongya Clan.
It lacked the character 'Hwang' (荒 - Desolate). Gongya Jeong, the young clan leader, had personally apologized, explaining that the family's tailor had fled during the chaotic battle.
To Jeong Yeon-shin, it didn't matter either way.
Though he had another set of clothes besides the one given by his uncle, he was reluctant to wear it because the character 'Hwang' on it was far too large. Naturally, this brought Heonwon Chang to mind once again.
Wipe out the seeds of the Shanxi Martial World?
Glancing to his left and right, he saw no significant change in the expressions of his two seniors. Ak Su-rim seemed to be forcing strength into the corners of her mouth, which had gone slack from drunkenness, while Jin Myeong-jo maintained his usual cool composure, his eyes slightly downcast.
Jeong Yeon-shin decided to remain silent for a moment.
"By nature, those Jianghu people are of no use to the world. They are not creators, but exploiters and destroyers. They are nothing more than packs of beasts roaming the land without even paying taxes... yet they treat the commoners as mere meat shields or firewood."
He seemed to growl the words. The formidable spirit of a top military official emanated from him.
"I once had a young servant who retired to his hometown after serving me. He was uneducated, but possessed a naturally good character. I can still clearly picture his bright smile when I paid him generous wages. He said this province of Shanxi was his home... He opened an inn, only to get caught in a fight between martial artists and die. It has been ten years now. Yes, he is dead and gone."
The Assistant Military Commander's expression grew colder. He seemed deeply immersed in his own story.
"Jianghu people."
As he spoke of the dark side of the martial world from an outsider's perspective, his fingers tapping on the table gradually pressed down with more force.
"Are they not the primary culprits behind the disruption of public order in our nation? It is even worse during famines. Far from contributing to agriculture, they use their martial arts for personal gain, determined to fill their own bloated bellies and avoid starvation. They act as the strong and plunder at will. This is because they are humans before they are martial artists. In a world where outlaws possessing the arts of slaughter run rampant... this is truly inevitable."
The Assistant Military Commander muttered, as if chewing and swallowing his words.
"The Jianghu is a place littered with romanticized trash. Only a tiny handful of righteous heroes shine loftily, but that constellation is so small and dim that it never catches my eye. I intend to use this opportunity to erase them. I have spent ten years preparing to annihilate the Shanxi Martial World. I have thoroughly investigated the cases left unsolved due to their elusive Body Protection Scriptures."
Sliiiide.
Suddenly, he drew a lavish, greenish-yellow scroll from his robes. It was an exceptionally thick document. He extended his arm and handed it directly to Jeong Yeon-shin.
"I swear that every word written here is the absolute truth. I stake my family name, my office, and my honor on it. Though it may not look like much, it is the result of thoroughly squeezing Shanxi's Provincial Administration Commissioner, Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, and Provincial Military Commander. The Grand Coordinator of Shanxi Province is none other than my sister."
He seemed to bypass the hierarchy among the Black Ranks, addressing Jeong Yeon-shin directly as the one who had slain the Jegal Clan Leader.
"..."
Jeong Yeon-shin hesitated to accept it. If this was a request from the Assistant Military Commander, fulfilling it would be credited as an achievement far exceeding most Black Rank missions. However, accepting it immediately would be discourteous to Jin Myeong-jo and Ak Su-rim.
What should I do? His focus shifted to this dilemma. The halo of tension around his heart naturally loosened slightly.
It was then.
Suddenly, a pitch-black sleeve swept down across the edge of the scroll. It was a movement laced with a trace of energy waves. The document rolled toward Jeong Yeon-shin, accompanied by Jin Myeong-jo's icy voice.
"You took the head of Jegal Cheon-sang. Do not hesitate to step forward."
Having offered his advice to Jeong Yeon-shin, he rose from his seat, murmuring that he would take his leave since moving was difficult for him.
Flutter—
The deep black of his long robe framed the retreating figure of the Divine Blood Ultimate Demon. He looked incredibly solitary.
His steps as he opened the door and departed were remarkably natural. Sensing the sheer caliber of his senior, Jeong Yeon-shin felt his chest swell slightly with emotion.
"As for meee... I'm just gonna stay here and watch our Flash Art."
Ak Su-rim giggled, her head tilted to the side in a drunken stupor.
She had mentioned she was suffering from internal injuries painful enough to rival the Muscle-Splitting and Bone-Dislocating Technique. Jeong Yeon-shin did not dare tell her to disperse the alcohol with a Great Heavenly Cycle.
Unrolling the document slowly, he revealed a report written in elegant, archaic script.
[Great Lake Hwi Clan
A group that maintains a manor on Mount Wuliang in Qinzhou and engages in rampant plundering.
They train in both the sword and the fist, possessing immense grip strength.
There are rumors that they resort to cannibalism when unable to procure food from villages. An investigation tracking the movements of Clan Head Hui Ho-ryang all the way to Taiyuan Prefecture has confirmed these rumors to be true.
Although suspicions were raised against them in the past, the Clan Head suppressed the unfavorable evidence by slaying the Blood Master Sword, who had been roaming near Qinzhou.
As their manor boasts a long history, they hold significant influence within the Shanxi Martial World.]
[Jigyo Martial Arts Academy
A group that accepts silver to take in disciples in Zezhou, Shanxi.
Although their grown disciples periodically vanish, the academy claims they have been sent to Beijing to take the military service examinations.
The academy leaders possess highly advanced martial arts, earning them a stellar reputation. They protect the local villages from violent rogue cultivators, maintaining a favorable standing in the area.
However, four children of merchants from Taiyuan Prefecture and three daughters of landowners from Pingyang Prefecture, all admitted as disciples this year, have vanished.
None of them have been accounted for in Beijing.
It is suspected to be human trafficking linked to Heaven's Bane, one of the great wicked sects of the Thirteen Heavens.
Evidence is attached in the accompanying documents. Among the 'surviving disciples' of Heaven's Bane, there are those originating from Shanxi.
Those who failed to become disciples are believed to have been massacred.
Originally, they targeted only the children of humble families who spent most of their fortunes on admission fees, but due to the poor harvest, they seem to have stopped discriminating based on the disciples' backgrounds.
It is presumed they attended the Shanxi Martial Arts Tournament to recruit those who failed to enter the Jegal Clan.]
Rustle, rustle.
Jeong Yeon-shin's hand turned the pages of the document one by one. The contents of the reports were largely similar.
They detailed the appearances, martial arts, and offenses of the influential figures of the martial world. Evidence, such as drawings and ledgers, was attached to the back pages.
"So there is work to be done," Jeong Yeon-shin murmured slowly.
"I know you require recuperation... but please, help me. An opportunity where these bastards gather like they did today will never come again. However, if we strike carelessly and they flee using their vaunted light skills, we will only end up increasing the number of bandits in the Green Forest. We need exceptionally powerful light skill mobility and formidable martial prowess."
The Assistant Military Commander's voice sounded close to his ear.
"I have no intention of tarnishing your reputation by offering a transaction. Just listen to me. Though it seems I have already received your silent confirmation."
"..."
"When a Purple Rank promotion is decided in the Desolate Fortress, His Majesty the Emperor and the Lord of the Desolate Fortress exchange letters via spirit beasts. It is a highly prestigious discussion. In that process, His Majesty tends to consult the opinions of his highest-ranking officials—specifically, how well the candidate's character and martial temperament align with state affairs. Since I have made contact with you, he will undoubtedly ask me. Well, I suppose such words are unnecessary for you..."
"I have read it all. These people are essentially local gentry. How do you plan to handle the backlash if they are wiped out?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked, rolling the scroll back up and handing it over.
The corners of the Assistant Military Commander's mouth curved up into a smooth arc.
"There is more evidence. I intend to publicize it widely when we mete out further punishment upon their corpses."
*
The Gongya Clan Leader had still not regained consciousness.
This was due to the devastating blow he had suffered at the hands of the deceased Jegal Clan Leader. It was a stroke of heaven's luck that he had not died on the spot.
"I did not expect you to request a meeting like this in the middle of the banquet," said Grand Lady Gongya Jeong.
She had no choice but to act as the temporary clan leader. That was why she sat in the seat of honor in the spacious room, flanked by the elders of her family. As the direct successor of the Gongya martial lineage, she was tasked with hosting the distinguished guests gathered before her.
Seated in front of her were the local aristocrats of Shanxi, each of them exuding an extraordinary aura.
The lakeside pavilion served as a quiet villa for the Gongya Clan. It was located quite a distance from the main manor house, a location specifically requested by the local aristocrats who were wary of the sensory path achievements of the Desolate Fortress's Black Ranks. They had claimed they had urgent matters to discuss in private.
"We cannot simply waste our time in vain, can we?"
A person of massive build replied with a sly smile. Mountain-Crushing Cloud-Cutter Hui Ho-ryang. It was a woman carrying a massive greatsword on her back.
As if the peak of winter held no cold for her, she wore only a single hemp garment, exposing the robust muscles of her arms. With translucent waves of energy shimmering along every tendon, she truly looked the part of the head of the renowned Great Lake Hwi Clan of Shanxi.
Even her piercing gaze, locked onto Gongya Jeong, was far from ordinary.
"Clan Head Hwi is correct. Why should we remain when the main hosts of the banquet have vanished?"
Seated beside Hui Ho-ryang were three individuals dressed identically. They were triplet swordsmen with long limbs.
They were the leaders of the Jigyo Martial Arts Academy. Since the Goga Sword Sect Leader, the Water-Moon Sect Leader, and the Shanxi Gwi Clan Leader had been killed by the Jegal Clan Leader and the Slaying Hero respectively, these triplets had practically taken charge of the local aristocrats.
It was only natural, given the sharp light glinting in their fierce eyes and the intangible Sword Qi they emanated without even drawing their blades.
Both sides were too much for Gongya Jeong to handle.
When her father had drawn his sword to face the Jegal Clan Leader, the elders of the family had served as components of a sword formation to support him. That was why the elders currently lined up to her left and right wore dark, sickly complexions.
This is a burden I must bear, the Grand Lady thought.
It was then that one of the Jigyo Martial Arts Academy leaders spoke.
"Arrange a meeting for us with the Commander of the Demonlight Wing. He doesn't seem to treat the Shanxi aristocrats as human beings at all, but regardless, we must request a lesson from him."
"Are you speaking of a duel?"
"Precisely."
"The Commander of the Demonlight Wing is currently unable to move freely. The same goes for the Commander of the Bloodkeeper Unit and the Vice Commander of the Divine Sword Corps. It would be best for you to travel to Xiangyang, where the main fortress of the Desolate Fortress is located, after spring has passed," Gongya Jeong spoke, her eyes narrowing.
Immediately after, her red robes billowed dramatically as she stood straight up. The oppressive atmosphere in the room wavered for an instant. This was not the kind of behavior one would expect in a room filled with powerful grandmasters.
"Since you are not the type to leave even if we ask you to, we shall be the ones to depart. If you wish to enjoy the banquet, do so at our main estate."
Thud!
With that, Gongya Jeong stormed out of the room, leading eight of her family members. The energy waves of her light skill rippled outward from her toes, looking as if they would shatter the sturdy wooden threshold.
Whoosh!
And indeed, they did. Their sprinting figures looked closer to fleeing.
How would a martial artist react to such an abrupt flight? A bird of prey with power would naturally give chase first.
Among the aristocrats who rose one after another, Hui Ho-ryang frowned.
"Their behavior is highly suspicious. It's not as if we were asking them questions at swordpoint..."
"What are you trying to make of innocent people right now?!"
"You must be trying to frame us with false accusations right before the eyes of the government and the Desolate Fortress!"
Two of the Jigyo Martial Arts Academy leaders kicked off the ground, heading toward the threshold Gongya Jeong had just crossed.
A violent urgency began to seep into the light skills they used to pursue the Gongya Clan. Caught in the propulsion of their powerful energy waves, the interior of the pavilion shattered to pieces in an instant.
Crash! Rumble!
A chase ensued. The eight red robes of the Gongya Clan sprinted ahead across the ground, while the light skills of the dozens of Shanxi aristocrats pursuing them rapidly closed the distance.
Every single one of them was the leader of a sect or clan. Shouts commanding the Gongya Clan to stop swept across the ground.
It was then.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of thunderous roars erupted from the flank. It was an explosive sound impossible for a human body to produce.
The faces of the aristocrats who glanced sideways paled. They spotted dozens of pitch-black spheres hurtling through the air. Anyone with even a modicum of experience would recognize them instantly. They were the notorious Thunderbolt Bombs of the martial world.
"Disciples, continue the pursuit! It seems those Gongya scoundrels have conspired with the Assistant Military Commander!"
"You all, follow Clan Head Hwi's orders as well!"
Four figures soared toward the incoming swarm of Thunderbolt Bombs. It was Hui Ho-ryang and the leaders of the Jigyo Martial Arts Academy.
These were grandmasters who had vied for supremacy over the Shanxi Martial World, a region boasting a scale rivaling Shandong, which was dominated by the Hwangbo Clan. All of them were near-peerless experts. They were fully capable of applying the subtle principles of the Harmony Realm to deflect the incoming projectiles.
But suddenly...
The eyes of the four grandmasters, who were gently extending their swords toward the Thunderbolt Bombs, widened. The same went for the aristocrats rushing behind them.
Whoosh!
The wilderness was bathed in a mist of light resembling the dawn.
From where had he leaped? A single figure clad in a black robe rapidly grew larger, dyeing the surroundings in a pale hue. Soaring upward in a straight line with a faint radiance, his figure approached with an overwhelming presence, like a descending constellation.
Jeong Yeon-shin, the Commander of the Demonlight Wing, blended into the swarm of Thunderbolt Bombs. From his upward-stretched hand, an incredibly powerful current of air whipped up, forming a swirling tornado.
The shockwaves, extending threads of suction and release, instantly seized control of the dozens of Thunderbolt Bombs. At this moment, the Desolate Fortress's Myriad Blossoms Rain, forged from the sword of the imperial court, manifested.
Hummmm—
Rather than behaving like ordinary throwing weapons, the barrage of Thunderbolt Bombs was seamlessly swept up into the profound currents of his peerless secret technique. Caught within this overwhelming martial gravity, the deadly explosives blended into the swirling vortex of his internal energy, transforming into entirely unpredictable variations. They darted and wove through the night sky with the deceptive, erratic grace of falling petals, their trajectories impossible to track. The aristocrats, their faces pale with sudden terror, swung their finely forged swords in a frantic, desperate frenzy. Yet, their desperate blades slashed uselessly through the empty air, striking nothing but the phantom afterimages left behind by the devastatingly fast projectiles. Every frantic parry and sweeping arc met only the howling wind, their vaunted martial prowess rendered entirely impotent before the overwhelming might descending upon them from the heavens.
Eyes widened in sheer terror as the realization of their absolute doom finally set in. The imposing figure clad in the black robe, hovering above them like a true harbinger of death, was a nightmare made manifest.
"The Commander of the Demonlight Wing!" one of the aristocrats screamed, his face entirely drained of color, his voice trembling with a mixture of disbelief and absolute dread.
"Don't tell me you are...!" another began, his pupils shrinking to mere pinpricks as he stared up at the descending storm of explosive fury. The sheer impossibility of the situation shattered his composure, leaving only a hollow, creeping terror in its wake.
Their frantic clamor, rapidly mouthed in a desperate attempt to communicate through the Lip-Reading Technique, was a final, futile effort to coordinate a defense. However, even these soundless cries for salvation were instantly and mercilessly drowned out. The ensuing symphony of explosions erupted with apocalyptic force, a deafening crescendo of destruction that tore through the very fabric of the battlefield, shattering the night.
The pitch-black Myriad Blossoms Rain descended in all its terrifying glory, an inescapable deluge of shadowy explosions that devoured everything in its path. It was an ultimate manifestation of lethal artistry, an absolute and unforgiving technique that left absolutely no witnesses behind to recount the horror of this night. The world itself seemed to fracture under the sheer concussive force of the blast.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The shockwaves rippled outward in devastating, concentric rings of pure kinetic fury, pulverizing the earth and obliterating the once-proud martial artists who had dared to stand in his way. Dust and debris plumed high into the air, masking the absolute carnage wrought by the Commander of the Demonlight Wing. Where there had once been a group of haughty aristocrats, there was now only a cratered ruin, swallowed whole by the relentless, explosive tempest of the Thunderbolt Bombs. The silence that followed the deafening roar was heavy, absolute, and utterly profound—the true, terrifying aftermath of the Myriad Blossoms Rain.